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DT vs. TT

1. What is the difference between Direct Thermal labels and Thermal Transfer Labels?

2. What is the least expensive type of label?

3. What type of label is right for me?

1. What is the difference between Direct Thermal labels and Thermal Transfer Labels?

The main difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal is that thermal transfer labels have to use a carbon ribbon in order to print. The three main types of ribbons are: 1. wax 2. wax-resin 3. pure resin. Each one is used for different applications depending on life of the label and harshness of the environment. All 3 types of ribbons still work in the same manner. The printer uses heat to transfer the image from the ribbon to the label. Once the image is transferred the label will be left with the positive side and the ribbon will have the negative side. The ribbon cannot be used again! This process of transferring is done in a fraction of a second. With thermal transfer you are not limited to only black type, youcan purchase ribbons of all different colors. Thermal transfer labels work well in any type of environment and can last for years.

Direct thermal labels are sensitive to heat and when it makes contact with heat the label turns black. Direct thermal labels are less expensive since no ribbon is required to print. The main use of direct thermal labels is to print shipping labels since theywon’t need to last for more than a year. Heat and sunlight will make the label turn darker over time. Direct thermal labels are also popular in the food industry because the labels are usually kept away from the sunlight and extreme heat. Using direct thermal labels can save time and money.

2. What is the least expensive type of label?

The least expensive type of label would be the direct thermal label.

3. What type of label is right for me?

If your labels are being exposed to a high amount of sunlight or heat, or if you need to print in color, or if they need to last for more than one or two years than thermal transfer labels would be your best choice. Other than that I would go with direct thermal.